Fixture coupling fitting for outlet boxes



Patented June 2, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOUIS BARNETT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO STANDARD ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, OF LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE FIXTURE COUPLING FITTING FOR OUTLET BOXES Application filed September 11,1929. Serial No. 391,755.

This invention relates to outlet box supporting devices and more particularly is directed to a fixture coupling fitting adapted to be applied to an outlet box for engaging a supporting bar for mounting to the frame work of a building.

One object of the invention is to provide a fitting of the character described which may be either permanently secured to an outlet box and form a novel combination therewith or may be removably applied to a standard outlet box.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fitting of the character described which shall occupy a minimum space within the outlet box and which shall have the parts thereof so disposed within the box so as to least interfere with the wiring installation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fitting of the character described which shall serve both as a combination fixture coupling box mounting and as a hickey.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fitting of the character described comprising few and simple parts which shall be readily cast and machined, said fitting shall be easily and quickly installed and adjusted, and practical and eflicient in a high degree in use.

Other objects and advantages will in part be obvious, and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter discussed of which a scope of the application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which several possible embodiments of the invention are shown,

Figs. 1 and 2 are side elevational and top plan views, respectively, of an improved cou- .pling fitting and outlet box anchoredto and suspended from a hanger rod embodying the invention.

. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View taken on lines 33 in Fig. 1.

Figs. 4 and 5 are views similar to Fig. 3,

each showing a fragmentary portion of the box structure and a modified construction of the improved attachment fitting, and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view showing an interiorly threaded attachment form of fixture coupling which may be substituted for the exteriorly threaded stud form shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 10 denotes an outlet or junction box of standard construction provided with the usual knocle outs 10a, the bottom or rear wall 106 of said box being provided with a central opening 100 and radially disposed openings 10d. The latter are usually provided in diametrically opposed pairs, as shown in Fig. 2, and are adapted to receive suitable fastening means, such as nails and screws, not shown.

11 denotes an improved fitting which when applied to the box 10 forms a combination fixture coupling member and mounting means for engaging a supporting bar or hanger rod 12, whereby the box is secured to the framework of the building in any well understood manner, not shown. The fitting 11, as seen from Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, comprises a fixture coupling member which may either be in the form of an externally threaded stud 13, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, or an internally pipe threaded screw attachment 14, as shown in Fig. 6. Said coupling member extends through the central opening 100 into the box 10 and is adapted to dependently support some form of an attached lighting fixture in the well understood manner, not shown.

Integrally formed with the fixture coupling member 13, or 14 there is provided a head piece 15 which forms a shoulder for bearing on the exterior side of the rim of the central opening 100. Said head piece 15 has an extension portion 15a preferably terminated by a projection 156, the latter being adapted to fit into one of the openings 10d of the box wall 10?). A passage 150 is provided through the head piece 15 wherethrough the supporting bar 12 may be extended to lie against the exterior side of the box wall 10?). Said passage is open-ended to In the construction of the fitting 11 above described and shown in the drawings, buta single fastening means is required to secure the fitting 11 to the box 10, and to clamp the box 10'and the fitting 11 to the supporting bar '12. Preferably the fitting 11 is made of a suitable material such, as brass or malleable iron so that the clamping arm portion d is resilient to yieldingly embrace the supporting bar 12 when the screw 16 is tightened.

Although the fitting 11 can be applied satisfactorily to standard outlet boxes with the extension portion 15a and the projection 15?) eliminated therefrom, said extension and projection are preferably provided to aid in assembling the fitting to the box and to provide a reenforcement to the combination box and fitting structure. v

WVhere it is desirable to permanently attach the fitting 11 to the box, 10, the projection 15?) may be slightly lengthened and upset or peened over as at 15f shown in Fig. 4.

The structure of the fitting 11 and its assembly in the box 10 thus far described lends itself admirably to the provision of an additional improvement in the form of a hickey. To this end the fixture coupling member 13, or 14, of the fitting may be provided with an axial bore 1304,1441 and a lateral passage 13?), 14?) extending under the headpiece 15, said passage 13?) and 14b communicating with the bore 13a, and 14a respectively. This passage also forms the open end of the passage 15d in the headpiece 15. Through this bore 13a, or 140: and lateral passage 13?) or 14?), conductor wires may be drawn from the depending fixtures in the well understood manner, not

" showin It should be noted that in using a fixture 11 provided with an improved hlckey structure, no additional hickey is required in the installation, and that the box and its fastening may be adjusted along the supporting bar 12 without dismounting any fixture which may be attached to the fitting coupling mem her since thefastening screw 16 is disposed along side said coupling. member. Furthermore, the improved fitting 11 isseen to takeup minimum space 1n the box since the usualconstructions in which the several object's of this invention are achieved and which are adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

'As various other possible embodiments might be made of the above invention and as various changes might be madein the embodiments set forth, it is to be understood 7 that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitopenings, a head integrally formed with said member, having a shouldered portion bearing on the rim of the opening wherethrough the member extends, said head having a passage adapted to receive a mounting bar, and means for fastening the fitting to the box extending through another of said openings.

' 2. In combination an outletbox having a first, second and third opening in a wall thereof, an attachment fitting comprising a fixture coupling member extending into the first of saidopenings, a head integrally formed with said member having a shoulder portion bearing on the rim of said first open ing, a projection on said head extending into the second opening, and means for fastening the fitting to the box extending through the third opening. I 7 1 3. In combination an outlet box having a first, second and third opening in a wall thereof, an attachment fitting comprising a fixture coupling member extending into the first of said openings, a head integrally formed with said member having a shoulder fixture coupling member extending into one of said openings, a head integrallyformed with. said member having a shouldered por-' tion bearing on the rim of the opening wherethrough the member extends, said head having a passage adapted to receive a supporting bar, and a single means for fastening the fittingand bar to the box, said means extending through another of said openings.

5. In combination fWith an outlet box having a plurality of openings in a wall thereof, an attachment'fitting comprising a fixture coupling-member extending into one of said openings, a head integrally formed with said member having a shouldered portion bearing on the rim of the opening wherethrough the member extends, said head having a passage adapted to receive a supporting bar, and means for fastening the fitting to the box extending through another of said openings, a wall of said passage being bendable on tightening said fastening means for clamping the mounting bar.

6. In combination with an outlet box, an attachment fitting carried by the box comprising a threaded coupling member having an axial bore extending into the box, a head integrally formed with said stud extending beyond an exterior side of the box, said head having an opening adapted to receive a mounting bar, said member having a lateral passage connecting with said bore to permit drawing conductor wires therethrough, and said passage and bore communicating with said head opening whereby said head is formed with a resilient portion adapted to clamp the mounting bar.

7 In combination with an outlet box, an attachment fitting comprising a coupling member having an axial bore and a lateral passage connecting with said bore to permit drawing conductor wires therethrough, a head integrally formed with said member above said passage, said head having an opening adapted to receive a mounting bar, and means spaced from said bore for fastening the head to the box, said means serving to clamp the fitting, mounting bar and box together.

8. In combination with an outlet box, an attachment fitting comprising a coupling member having an axial bore extending into the box and having a lateral passage connecting with said bore to permit drawing conductor wires therethrough, a head piece engaging said box on the exterior side thereof above said member, and a single fastening means for securing the piece to the box {adapted to clamp said piece to a mounting 9. In a fitting of the character described having a fixture coupling and adapted to slidably secure an outlet box to a supporting bar, a single fastening means extending through the box adjacent said coupling for retaining the fitting, box and bar in operative assembly.

10. A fitting of the character described having a fixture coupling, comprising an integrally formed portion for slideably mounting an outlet box to a supporting bar, and a single fastening means extending through the box adjacent said coupling securre h fitting to the box, said means serving tfo clamp the box to said bar.

5 11. In a coupling fitting of the character escribed adapted to slideably secure an outet box to a supporting bar, a hickey struc- 

